Simca Esplanada

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Simca Esplanada
Simca Esplanada
Manufacturer:	Simca do Brasil
Production:	1966–1969
Predecessor:	Simca Chambord
Class:	Large car
Body style:	4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door convertible 4-door convertible
Layout:	FR layout
Engine:	2.4 L Aquillon V8
Transmission:	3-speed manual Rush-Matic automatic^[1]
Wheelbase:	2690 mm^[1]
Length:	4520 mm^[1]
Width:	1750 mm^[1]
Height:	1480 mm^[1]
Curb weight:	1150 kg^[1]
Fuel capacity:	60 L^[1]
Related:	Ford Vedette Simca Vedette Simca Chambord
Similar:	Ford Zodiac Renault Frégate Vauxhall Cresta Opel Kapitän Aero Willys

Launched at the 1966 motor show in São Paulo (Salão do Automóvel) the Simca Esplanada replaced the models Chambord, Présidence and Rallye. It was a large car, manufactured up until 1969 by the Brazilian subsidiary of French automaker Simca, at their factory in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. The Esplanada was a radically restyled version based on the originally Ford designed Ford Vedette (later rebadged in Simca Vedette and it's sucessor, the Simca Chambord.

1 French origin, Brazilian styling
2 The Chrysler touch
- 2.1 Production figures
3 References
4 External links

[edit] French origin, Brazilian styling

While technically pretty much identical to its predecessors, the Esplanada featured radically restyled front and rear ends. The interior featured reclinable leather seats and fine Jacarandá wood trimings on dashboard and doors. The top Models 3M and 6M could easily be recognize by their vinyl top The 140HP engine now was fed by an electric fuel pump and featured a 34 Ampére alternator. A newly introduced hydraulic clutch improved gear changing and driving comfort significantly, the gearbox was upgraded with an overdrive.

[edit] The Chrysler touch

From august 1967 on the Simca Esplanadas featured a small badge at the rear end with the writing “fabricado pela Chrysler” (built by Chrysler) following the takeover by the American car brand.

Stringent quality tests dictated by the Detroit headquarters lead to improvements on 53 items on the Esplanda’s mechanical side being introduced at once, including a power reduction to 130HP for the sake of higher durability. The visual was also slightly up-dated with new headlamps, a new grille and diferent chrome items and new rear end lights.

The significant mechanical improvements allowed Chrysler the confidence to shock main up-market competitor Ford with a novel 2-year or 36.000 waranty. The production of the Esplanada ceased in 1969 as Chrysler decided to introduce an oponent for Ford Galaxie over market shares in Brazil with the roomier Dodge Dart from then on.